Synopses & Reviews
In this essential contribution to the current literature on adoption, Peter Conn seamlessly draws upon philosophy, history, literary criticism, and related fields to offer a fascinating narrative of the global history of adoption. By bringing an unprecedented historical perspective to bear on the subject, Conn advances our understanding of the role of the concept of 'culture' in attitudes toward international adoption and provides an enduring conceptual and historical framework for future research. This book is crucial to understanding the issues faced not only by the ever-growing number of adoptees in the United States, but also to the welfare of children the world over.
Review
"Conn's book is an important contribution to the literature on adoption. The historical material is extremely valuable, and is covered in great detail. Furthermore, the fluency of Conn's prose make this volume a pleasure to read." - Sally Haslanger, Professor, Department of Linguistics and Philosophy, MIT, USA
Synopsis
Combining advocacy and memoir with social and cultural history, this book offers a comparative, cross-cultural survey of the whole history of adoption that is grounded in the author's personal experience.
About the Author
Peter Conn is Vartan Gregorian Professor of English and Professor of Education, University of Pennsylvania, USA.
Table of Contents
1. Doing What Comes Naturally
2. Adoption's Long and Often Surprising History
3. Adoption in America
4. Culture, Nationalism, and Intercountry Adoption
5. Imagining Adoption